Can vitamin c cause headaches

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Can Vitamin C Cause Headaches?

Introduction to Vitamin C and Its Uses

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a vital nutrient found in various foods and available as a dietary supplement. It is essential for tissue repair and is commonly used to treat and prevent scurvy. While generally well-tolerated, large doses of vitamin C can lead to gastrointestinal upset, trouble sleeping, and flushing of the skin. There is also evidence suggesting that high doses may cause headaches .

Vitamin C and Headache Prevention

Antioxidant Properties and Migraine Prevention

Vitamin C, along with other antioxidants like N-acetylcysteine and vitamin E, has been studied for its potential to reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines. This is due to its role in combating oxidative stress and neurogenic inflammation, which are key factors in migraine pathophysiology. A study investigating the combined use of these antioxidants found a preventive effect on migraine outcomes, suggesting that vitamin C could be beneficial in reducing migraine-related headaches .

Postdural Puncture Headache Reduction

In clinical settings, vitamin C has been evaluated for its effectiveness in reducing headaches following spinal anesthesia, particularly in cesarean section patients. A study involving 160 patients demonstrated that those who received vitamin C infusions experienced significantly fewer headaches compared to those who did not receive the vitamin. This indicates that vitamin C can be effective in mitigating postdural puncture headaches .

Migraine with Aura and Menstrual Migraine

Vitamin C's role as a scavenger of reactive oxygen species makes it a potential treatment for neurogenic inflammation in migraine patients. This is particularly relevant for migraines with aura and menstrual migraines, where oxidative stress and inflammation are prominent. The use of vitamin C in conjunction with other vitamins like B6, B12, and folic acid has been suggested as a prophylactic treatment to decrease the severity and frequency of these types of migraines .

Conclusion

While vitamin C is generally safe and beneficial for various health conditions, high doses can potentially cause headaches among other side effects . However, its antioxidant properties also make it a valuable agent in reducing certain types of headaches, including migraines and postdural puncture headaches 123. Therefore, the relationship between vitamin C and headaches is complex, with both potential benefits and risks depending on the context and dosage.

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Most relevant research papers on this topic

Reduction in Migraine and Headache Frequency and Intensity With Combined Antioxidant Prophylaxis (N‐acetylcysteine, Vitamin E, and Vitamin C): A Randomized Sham‐Controlled Pilot Study

Combined antioxidant drugs (N-acetylcysteine, vitamin E, and vitamin C) may reduce migraine frequency and intensity by decreasing oxidative stress and neurogenic inflammation in the brain.

RCT

2020·

19citations

·E. Visser et al.

Effect of vitamin C on the incidence and severity of postdural puncture headache in patients undergoing cesarean section with spinal anesthesia

Vitamin C infusion significantly reduces headache frequency in patients undergoing cesarean section with spinal anesthesia.

RCT

2021·

0citations

·Sepehr Eslami et al.

Vitamin Supplementation as Possible Prophylactic Treatment against Migraine with Aura and Menstrual Migraine

Vitamin supplementation may help prevent migraine attacks by reducing homocysteine levels and influencing mitochondrial dysfunction.

Rigorous Journal

2015·

62citations

·M. M. Shaik et al.

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

Vitamin C is used to treat and prevent scurvy, but not for common cold prevention, and is generally well-tolerated.

Highly Cited

2018·

141citations

·Howerde E. Sauberlich

Effect of Vitamin D supplementation on symptoms and C-reactive protein in migraine patients

Vitamin D supplementation may help decrease headache frequency and C-reactive protein levels in migraine patients, but its association with migraine disease remains unclear.

RCTVery Rigorous Journal

2015·

56citations

·Tayebeh Mottaghi et al.

Effects of vitamin C on oxidative stress, inflammation, muscle soreness, and strength following acute exercise: meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials

Vitamin C supplementation reduces oxidative stress and inflammation after a single bout of exercise, without affecting muscle soreness or strength.

Meta-AnalysisRigorous Journal

2020·

49citations

·N. C. Righi et al.

The Role of Vitamin D in Primary Headache–from Potential Mechanism to Treatment

Vitamin D supplementation may help reduce headache frequency in migraineurs, but more evidence is needed for all headache patients.

Systematic ReviewVery Rigorous Journal

2020·

35citations

·Magdalena Nowaczewska et al.

The role of vitamin C in the treatment of pain: new insights

Vitamin C administration can provide safe and effective pain relief in specific patient groups, potentially through its role as a cofactor for the biosynthesis of amidated opioid peptides.

Rigorous JournalHighly Cited

2017·

119citations

·A. Carr et al.

Vitamin D in migraine headache: a comprehensive review on literature

Vitamin D supplementation in a dose of 1000-4000 IU/d may reduce the frequency of migraine attacks in patients with vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency.

Systematic ReviewRigorous Journal

2019·

47citations

·Zeinab Ghorbani et al.

Comparison of C-reactive protein, D-dimer, vitamin D and magnesium serum levels between migraineurs and tension-type headache sufferers

C-reactive protein levels are significantly different between migraineurs and tension-type headache sufferers, suggesting inflammation and diet may play a role in headaches.

2023·

0citations

·K. Surbakti et al.

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Can vitamin c cause headaches

Pro Research Analysisby

Can Vitamin C Cause Headaches?

Introduction to Vitamin C and Its Uses

Vitamin C and Headache Prevention

Antioxidant Properties and Migraine Prevention

Postdural Puncture Headache Reduction

Migraine with Aura and Menstrual Migraine

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Reduction in Migraine and Headache Frequency and Intensity With Combined Antioxidant Prophylaxis (N‐acetylcysteine, Vitamin E, and Vitamin C): A Randomized Sham‐Controlled Pilot Study

Combined antioxidant drugs (N-acetylcysteine, vitamin E, and vitamin C) may reduce migraine frequency and intensity by decreasing oxidative stress and neurogenic inflammation in the brain.

Effect of vitamin C on the incidence and severity of postdural puncture headache in patients undergoing cesarean section with spinal anesthesia

Vitamin C infusion significantly reduces headache frequency in patients undergoing cesarean section with spinal anesthesia.

Vitamin Supplementation as Possible Prophylactic Treatment against Migraine with Aura and Menstrual Migraine

Vitamin supplementation may help prevent migraine attacks by reducing homocysteine levels and influencing mitochondrial dysfunction.

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

Vitamin C is used to treat and prevent scurvy, but not for common cold prevention, and is generally well-tolerated.

Effect of Vitamin D supplementation on symptoms and C-reactive protein in migraine patients

Vitamin D supplementation may help decrease headache frequency and C-reactive protein levels in migraine patients, but its association with migraine disease remains unclear.

Effects of vitamin C on oxidative stress, inflammation, muscle soreness, and strength following acute exercise: meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials

Vitamin C supplementation reduces oxidative stress and inflammation after a single bout of exercise, without affecting muscle soreness or strength.

The Role of Vitamin D in Primary Headache–from Potential Mechanism to Treatment

Vitamin D supplementation may help reduce headache frequency in migraineurs, but more evidence is needed for all headache patients.

The role of vitamin C in the treatment of pain: new insights

Vitamin C administration can provide safe and effective pain relief in specific patient groups, potentially through its role as a cofactor for the biosynthesis of amidated opioid peptides.

Vitamin D in migraine headache: a comprehensive review on literature

Vitamin D supplementation in a dose of 1000-4000 IU/d may reduce the frequency of migraine attacks in patients with vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency.

﻿Comparison of C-reactive protein, D-dimer, vitamin D and magnesium serum levels between migraineurs and tension-type headache sufferers

C-reactive protein levels are significantly different between migraineurs and tension-type headache sufferers, suggesting inflammation and diet may play a role in headaches.

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Comparison of C-reactive protein, D-dimer, vitamin D and magnesium serum levels between migraineurs and tension-type headache sufferers